It seems like everyone's on the hunt for the "next big thing" for better health. Coconut oil, chia seeds, and even bone broth have all enjoyed their time in the spotlight, and now there's a new superfood—or rather, super drink—in town.

Many bold-faced names in the health world, from fitness expert Tosca Reno to detox pro Dr. Alejandro Junger, tout this natural home remedy as a wellness cure-all for a range of health issues, such as bloating, digestive distress, sore throats, and even acne. The best part? You likely have the miracle ingredient in your pantry.

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"Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a wonderful fermented tonic with many health benefits," says Tina Discepola, M.D., who practices functional medicine in New York. She drinks apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of water, chased by a half teaspoon of honey, and swears the concoction keeps her healthy: "I start every day with this slurry, and I know it has helped improve my digestion and boost my immune function over the past 10 years."

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While drinking vinegar (of all things!) may sound far-fetched, using ACV for medicinal purposes is not a new-fangled fad. As far back as 400 B.C., Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, treated his patients with ACV and praised it as a powerful cleansing and healing elixir.

There's a lot of hearsay mixed with research-backed reviews of the actual science behind ACV's health benefits, but here's the top five proven reasons to add it to your daily routine:

1. Increase insulin sensitivity
This means that less insulin (a fat storage hormone) will be required by the body to digest carbohydrates, explains Chelsey Benzel, a holistic weight loss coach. "While the study was specific to diabetics, we can all benefit by keeping our insulin levels in check, as high insulin levels can lead to a host of health issues, like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis and even cancer." Blood glucose levels, which are closely related to insulin sensitivity, have also been found to be lower due to vinegar consumption.

3. Soothe an upset stomach
The natural probiotic in ACV helps fight yeast (candida), so it helps with digestive disorders, as well as chronic sinus or bronchial infections, says Discepola.

4. Promote digestion
Altering thepH of your stomach will also make it easier to break down foods, which in turncan reduce acid reflux and bloating, says Benzel.

5. Help clear up your complexion... and more
Benzel, among other holistic health experts, say that it can help treat acne when ingested internally or applied to the face as a natural topical astringent. This home remedy can also be used to help alleviate muscle soreness, bad breath, and even banish warts.

So what can't this super-elixir do? Unfortunately, it's not a magic bullet to dropping those last ten pounds, despite the claims you'll find online. Believing ACV to be a weight loss aid is false advertising, explains Discepola."However, it does control the sugar released by the body after a meal, which in turn controls hunger. So long-term use may also help with breaking down fat in our digestive system."

But even if ACV isn't a miraculous weight-loss drink (by now, shouldn't we know those don't exist?), I figured the potential benefits of ACV make it worth sipping. So in the name of research, I put it to the test. Each morning for three weeks, I drank a tablespoon or so of apple cider vinegar, mixed with a teaspoon of honey (I used less as I got used to the taste) and purified water. I experimented by adding ground ginger and cinnamon, but for the most part, I kept it basic.

I'm not going to lie: It wasn't exactly pleasant—at first. It smelled like, well,vinegar, and tasted so tart felt like I was drinking straight cleaning liquid. But after two days, I began to actually crave the flavor first thing in the a.m. Once I got used to it, the bitter, acrid taste felt somewhat cleansing going down my throat and into my stomach.

The results: My constantly-at-odds digestive system was a smoother-than-usual operator. (Meaning: More consistent bathroom visits.) My skin seemed clearer, too, and even though I usually experience breakouts during my time-of-the-month, only one tiny pimple appeared and quickly vanished. It also seemed to help with cravings. A couple times, I drank the mixture mid-afternoon when I desperately wanted a sweet snack, but knew I wasn't truly hungry. (I'm not sure if this can be attributed to the somewhat bitter taste, or to its effect on blood glucose levels, but it worked for me.)

Want to give it a try yourself? Start with 1 tablespoon ACV mixed in 1 cup of water to get accustomed to the strong taste, suggests Benzel. Drizzle in ½ teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to sweeten the deal. You can also add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger powder. These warming spices can work wonders to get the digestive system moving, says Benzel.

Just be sure to buy ACV that's organic, raw, and unpasteurized. You'll be able to identify the real stuff by the spider web-like strands that tend to settle at the bottom of the bottle, says Discepola. Those strands—known as "mother" (yeah, we know it sounds weird)—are made up of proteins and the "good" bacteria, and give ACV that cloudy appearance when it's shaken up. "Mother" is what provides the potent, natural nutrients that make ACV the health-boosting elixir that it is.